Operating support for surgeons

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure concerns embodiments of an operating support that supports a surgeon in a sitting position straddling a patient. By straddling the patient, the surgeon is ideally positioned to perform certain types of laparoscopic surgery, such as pelvic surgery, which requires the use of relatively long surgical instruments. The operating support supports the surgeon in a more ergonomically correct position that reduces the stress and strain on the surgeon&#39;s body as compared to the conventional technique of performing laparoscopic surgery in a standing position at one side of the operating table.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/194,388, filed Aug. 19, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,070,221,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/965,791,filed Aug. 21, 2007, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure concerns embodiments of an operating support fora surgeon performing a medical procedure (e.g., surgery) on a patient.

BACKGROUND

During laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon typically stands to one side ofthe operating table while manipulating relatively long instruments andwhile viewing the procedure on a video monitor. Unfortunately, thesurgeon has little opportunity to move the body and change posture,which often leads to fatigue and pain. Thus, there is a strong need foran apparatus to support the surgeon during such procedures in a mannerthat reduces the stress and strain on the surgeon's body.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure concerns embodiments of an operating support thatsupports a surgeon in a sitting position straddling a patient. Bystraddling the patient, the surgeon is ideally positioned to performcertain types of laparoscopic surgery, such as pelvic surgery, whichrequires the use of relatively long surgical instruments. The operatingsupport places the surgeon in a more ergonomically correct position thatreduces the stress and strain on the surgeon's body as compared to theconventional technique of performing laparoscopic surgery in a standingposition at one side of the operating table. The position of the surgeonrelative to the patient also provides other doctors or nurses access tothe patient during the procedure, for example if the anesthesiologistmust attend to the patient.

The operating support in disclosed embodiments includes a framestructure that supports a seat such that an end portion of an operatingtable can be positioned directly underneath the seat to allow thesurgeon to straddle a patient positioned on (e.g., lying down) theoperating table. The seat can be vertically adjustable relative to theframe structure to allow the seat to be positioned at a desired heightrelative to the patient. The operating support also can include footsupports for supporting the surgeon's feet, a chest support forsupporting the surgeon's chest, and arm supports for supporting thesurgeon's arms. The foot supports, the chest support, and the armsupports also can be vertically adjustable to suit the individual needsof the surgeon.

The frame structure desirably has light-weight construction so that theoperating support can be easily positioned for use and transportedbetween operating theaters. In certain embodiments, the frame structurecan be constructed from tubular frame members and desirably is made froma light-weight material such as steel, aluminum or any of various othersuitable metals, alloys, polymers, or composite materials. This providesa light-weight construction allowing for easy positioning andtransporting of the operating support. If it becomes necessary duringsurgery to provide additional access to the patient, for example if theanesthesiologist requires additional access to the patient, the surgeoncan quickly dismount the operating support. The operating support thencan be easily moved away from the patient to provide other doctors ornurses additional access the patient.

In one representative embodiment, an operating support for a surgeonperforming a medical procedure on a patient positioned on an operatingtable comprises a seat adapted to support the buttocks of the surgeonand a frame structure supporting the seat. The frame structure isconfigured to be positioned relative to the operating table such thatthe seat is positioned over the operating table and the surgeon, whilesitting in the seat, can straddle the patient.

In another representative embodiment, an operating support for a surgeonperforming a medical procedure on a patient positioned on an operatingtable comprises a frame structure comprising first and second laterallyspaced, vertically extending support members, and a seat supportedbetween the first and second support members. The support members arespaced from each other such that an end portion of the operating tablecan be positioned between the support members and beneath the seat toallow the surgeon to straddle the patient at a position above and overthe patient.

In another representative embodiment, a surgical system comprises anoperating table for supporting a patient, and a support apparatus for asurgeon performing a medical procedure on the patient. The supportapparatus comprises a seat adapted to support the buttocks of thesurgeon, and means for supporting the seat at a position over and abovean end portion of the operating table such that the surgeon, whilesitting in the seat, can straddle the patient.

In another representative embodiment, a method of performing a medicalprocedure on a patient positioned on an operating table is provided. Themethod comprises sitting on an operating support at a position above andover the patient while straddling the patient, and performing a surgicalprocedure on the patient.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description, whichproceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an operating support for a surgeon, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the operating support shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the operating support shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the operating support shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are side views showing how the seat can be removed fromthe operating support.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the arm support assembly of theoperating support shown partially in section.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the lower end portion of one of the armsupports and one end portion of the shaft of the arm support assembly.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lower end portion of one of the armsupports and one end of the bracket assembly that supports the armsupport assembly on the operating support.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bracket assembly for the armsupport assembly.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the lower end portion of one of the armsupports and one end portion of the shaft of the arm support assemblyshown with the bearing housing removed for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged side view showing one of the brackets of thebracket assembly mounted on horizontal rungs of the operating support.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the operating support of FIG. 1 being used tosupport a surgeon in a position straddling a patient lying on anoperating table.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the operating support and operatingtable shown in FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to one ormore than one, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “includes” means “comprises.” For example, adevice that includes or comprises A and B contains A and B but mayoptionally contain C or other components other than A and B. A devicethat includes or comprises A or B may contain A or B or A and B, andoptionally one or more other components such as C.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown one embodiment of anoperating support, or saddle, indicated generally at 10, that supports asurgeon in an ergonomically correct position for performing certaintypes of medical procedures, and in particular surgical procedures. Theoperating support 10 can be used while performing surgery on a patientpositioned on (e.g., lying down) an operating table (e.g., the operatingtable 12 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14) or on a patient chair that canrecline (e.g., a dentist chair) to position the patient in a lying-downor near lying-down position. The operating support 10 can be used tosupport the surgeon in a seated position straddling the patient toreduce stress and strain on the surgeon's body while performing certaintypes of surgery, especially laparoscopic surgery (e.g., pelvicsurgery). The support can used for performing various other types ofprocedures, including, without limitation, interventional radiologyprocedures, maxillo-facial surgery, abdominal surgery, cardiac surgery,thoracic surgery, dental procedures, neurosurgical procedures, andorthopedics, to name a few.

The operating support 10 in the illustrated embodiment includes a seat14 adapted to support the buttocks of the surgeon and a frame structure16 that supports the seat 14. The frame structure 16 is configured to bepositioned relative to the operating table 12 such that the seat 14 canbe positioned above and over an end portion of the table 12 asillustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.

As best shown in FIGS. 1-4, the frame structure 16 in particularembodiments includes first and second main support members 18 a, 18 b,respectively, positioned on opposite sides of the seat 14. The supportmembers 18 a, 18 b can be connected to each other by a cross member 20at the top of the frame structure and can extend downwardly andforwardly from the cross member 20. As best shown in FIG. 4, the supportmembers 18 a, 18 b also can extend laterally outwardly away from theseat moving in a direction toward the floor to provide a largerfootprint at the base of the frame structure for better stability. Thesupport members 18 a, 18 b are laterally spaced from each other onopposite sides of the seat a distance sufficient to allow an end portionof the operating table 12 to be positioned between the support membersand underneath the seat 14. This allows the surgeon to be supported in aseated position straddling the patient, as depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the frame structure 16 additionally can include rearsupport members 22 a, 22 b having upper ends connected to the supportmembers 18 a, 18 b and lower ends supported on the floor. The lower endsof the rear support members 22 a, 22 b can be connected to each other bya lower cross member 50. One or more cross members 24 can extend betweenthe main support member 18 a and the rear support member 22 a andbetween the main support member 18 b and the rear support member 22 b.

The lower ends of the support members 18 a, 18 b can have support pads52 a, 52 b, respectively, contacting the floor (FIG. 2). The supportpads 52 a, 52 b can be made of a low-friction material, for example alow-friction polymer such as high density polyethylene or Delron®, sothat the support 10 can be easily moved in the operating theater. Inalternative embodiments, the lower ends of the support members 18 a, 18b and/or the lower ends of the rear support members 22 a, 22 b caninclude wheels to facilitate positioning and transporting the support10. Such wheels can be provided with locks to prevent the wheels fromthe moving during surgery.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame structure 16 in particularembodiments can also include a support frame assembly 26 (also referredto herein as a seat support member), which can have an upper endconnected to the cross member 20 and a lower end connected to a crossmember 28 extending between and connected to the rear support members 22a, 22 b. The support frame assembly 26 in the illustrated embodimentincludes elongated vertical posts 30 extending vertically between crossmembers 20 and 28 and a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontallydisposed rungs, or bars, 32 extending between and connected to thevertical posts 30.

The seat 14 can include a seat cushion 34 and a seat frame 36 supportingthe seat cushion. The seat frame 36 desirably is vertically adjustableto adjust the height of the seat along the support frame assembly 26.For example, the seat frame 36 can include a rear portion 38 (FIG. 1)that is configured to be removably mounted to the rungs 32. The seat canbe easily adjusted to a desired height by removing the seat frame 36from support frame assembly 26 and placing the seat frame 36 on rungs 32at a desired height.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the rear end portion 38 of the seat frame36, according to one embodiment. The rear end portion 38 can be formedfrom two laterally spaced side plates 104, each of which is positionedadjacent a respective post 30 of the support frame assembly 26. Asshown, each side plate 104 can be formed with an upwardly curvedprotrusion, or hook portion, 106 that extends between two adjacent rungs32. Each side plate 104 can also be formed with another protrusion 108that extends between two adjacent rungs 32 below protrusion 106. Byvirtue of the engagement of the protrusions 106, 108 with the rungs 32,the seat 14 is retained in a horizontal position against the weight ofthe user.

As shown in FIG. 6, the seat 14 can be removed from the support frameassembly 26 by lifting the front end of the seat upwardly until thelower protrusion 108 clears the corresponding rungs 32, and then slidingthe seat downwardly to remove the upper protrusion 106 from thecorresponding rungs 32. Other techniques or mechanisms can be used topermit the seat 14 to be vertically adjustable. For example, the seatcan be mounted on a vertical screw mechanism that is operable to adjustthe height of the seat.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the operating support 10 can include a chestsupport 54 adapted to support the chest of the surgeon during use. Thechest support desirably is adjustable in the forward and rearwarddirections (as indicated by double-headed arrow 56 in FIG. 1) as well asupwardly and downwardly (as indicated by double-headed arrow 58 inFIG. 1) to satisfy the individual needs and preferences of the surgeon.In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the chest support 54includes a chest support pad 60 that is supported on and adjustablerelative to a chest-support frame 62. The frame 62 in the illustratedform includes a horizontal lower portion 64 extending from and connectedto the seat frame 36 and a vertical upper portion 66 extending upwardlyfrom the forward end of the lower portion 64. The lower portion 64 andthe upper portion 66 can be formed from two parallel, elongate framemembers 68, as best shown in FIG. 2. The chest pad 60 can be adjustablymounted to the frame 62 by an adjustment knob 70 that has a threadedshaft that extends through the frame members 68 and into a threadedopening in the chest pad. The chest pad 60 can be adjusted to a desiredheight along the frame members 68 by loosening the knob 70, sliding thechest pad 60 to the desired height, and then tightening the knob 70 tosecure the chest pad in place against the frame members 68.

The chest support 54 can be similarly adjusted in the fore-aft direction(toward and away from the front of the seat). For example, as shown inFIG. 2, the chest-support frame 62 can be secured to the lower surfaceof the seat frame 36 by an adjustment knob 74 having a threaded shaft 76that extends through frame members 68 and into a threaded opening in thelower surface of the seat frame 36. The knob 74 can be loosened topermit fore-aft adjustment of the chest-support frame 62 relative to theseat frame. Tightening the knob 74 secures the chest-support frame 62 tothe seat frame at the desired fore-aft position.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the angle of the chest support 54relative to a vertical plane can be adjusted to allow the user to leancloser to or farther away from the patient. For example, the upwardlyextending frame portion that supports the chest support (e.g., upperportion 66) can be pivotably mounted at its lower end portion to permitpivoting of the frame portion and the chest support 54 relative to avertical plane. Any suitable techniques or mechanisms can be used topermit pivoting of the frame portion to a desired angle relative to thevertical plane and to lock the frame portion at the desired position. Inone implementation, a push button, lever, or similar control mechanismcan be used such that activation of the control mechanism is effectiveto allow pivoting of the chest support to a desired position and releaseof the control mechanism retains the chest support at the desiredposition, similar to the controls used to adjust the position of a seatin an automobile.

The operating support 10 can include first and second foot supports 76a, 76 b adapted to the support the right and left feet, respectively, ofthe surgeon. The foot supports 76 a, 76 b desirably are verticallyadjustable to satisfy the particular needs of the user. For example, inthe illustrated embodiment, the foot supports 76 a, 76 b are mountableto and adjustable along the length of the support members 18 a, 18 b. Asbest shown in FIG. 1, each foot support 76 a, 76 b can include ahorizontally disposed foot pad 78, a bracket 80 and an extension arm 82extending between and connecting the foot pad to the bracket. To permitvertical adjustment of the foot supports, each bracket 80 can be formedwith a plurality of pins or prongs (not shown) that can be inserted intoapertures 86 formed along the length of the respective support member 18a, 18 b. Other techniques or mechanisms also can be used to mount footsupports 76 a, 76 b to the support members 18 a, 18 b. For example, thebrackets 80 can be secured to support members 18 a, 18 b with bolts,screws, or other types of fasteners.

The operating support can further include an arm support assembly 42coupled to and supported by the frame structure 16. The arm supportassembly 42 can include first and second arm supports 88 a, 88 b forsupporting the arms of the surgeon. Each arm support 88 a, 88 b caninclude an arm rest 90 mounted on the forward end of a support arm 92.As best shown in FIG. 2, the support arm 92 of each support 88 a, 88 bextends downwardly from the respective arm rest 90 and rearwardly towardthe seat support member 26. The lower end portion of each support arm 92can be connected to a respective pivot mechanism 94. The pivotmechanisms 94 are connected to opposite ends of a shaft 96 (FIG. 7),which in turn can be removably mounted to the support frame assembly 26.

Each pivot mechanism 94 can be configured to permit pivoting movement ofthe respective arm support 88 a, 88 b about two separate pivot axes. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, each pivot mechanism 94 allowsfor pivoting movement of the respective arm support about a verticalpivot axis and a horizontal pivot axis. This allows each arm support tobe pivoted upwardly and downwardly about a horizontal pivot axis betweena lowered position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 1) adjacent the surgeonand a raised position away from surgeon (shown in dashed lines in FIG.1), in the directions indicated by double-headed arrow 98 in FIG. 1.Each arm support also can be pivoted about a respective vertical axisbetween a forward position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 4) adjacent thesurgeon and a rearward position (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4) awayfrom surgeon, independent of pivoting movement about its horizontalaxis, as indicated by double-headed arrow 100.

As best shown in FIG. 7, each pivot mechanism 94 in the illustratedembodiment comprises a bearing housing 110 that receives the lower endportion of a respective support arm 92. The pivot mechanism 94 caninclude an upper bearing 112 and a lower bearing 114 retained betweenthe housing 110 and the lower portion of the support arm 92. The housing110 and the bearings 112, 114 can be retained on the lower end portionof the support arm 92 by a tapered lock nut assembly.

The lock nut assembly in the illustrated embodiment comprises a capportion 116 having an enlarged head portion 118 and an extension portion120 that extends into the lower portion of the support arm 92. A screw122 extends through a threaded opening in the cap portion 116 and acorresponding threaded opening in a tapered nut 124. The nut 124 has anangled lower surface that bears against an angled upper surface of theextension portion 120. When the screw 122 is tightened, the nut 124rotates relative to the cap portion 116. By virtue of the angledsurfaces of the nut 124 and the extension portion 120, the nut 124 isurged against the inner surface of the support arm 92, securing the locknut assembly at the lower end of the support arm 92. The lock nutassembly retains the bearings and the bearing housing in place betweenthe head portion 118 and a flange member 126 of the support arm 92 whileallowing pivoting movement of the support arm 92 relative to the bearinghousing about a vertical pivot axis V (FIG. 8).

As best shown in FIG. 11, the lower end portion of the support arm 92can be formed with an elongated opening 128 that receives the adjacentend portion 130 of the shaft 96. The arc length of the opening 130defines the angle through which the support arm 92 can pivot about itsvertical axis V. The shaft end portion 130 serves as a stop that limitspivoting movement of the support arm 92 about its vertical pivot axis.Thus, as the support arm is pivoted about its vertical axis, the shaftend portion 130 can contact the opposing sides of the opening 130 tolimit pivoting of the support arm 92 between the forward and rearpositions shown in FIG. 1.

Referring again to FIG. 7, the bearing housing 110 in the illustratedconfiguration can include a horizontally extending, shaft-receivingportion 132 that houses an adjacent portion of the shaft 96. As bestshown in FIG. 9, the shaft 96 can be fixedly secured to the bearinghousing 110 by a screw 134 that extends through the shaft-receivingportion 132 and is tightened into a threaded opening in the shaft 96. Inthis manner, both support arms 92 pivot together about the horizontalaxis defined by the shaft 96. In alternative embodiments, the supportarms 92 can be configured to pivot independently of each other about thehorizontal pivot axis.

As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, a bracket assembly 136 can be mountedon the shaft 96 between the pivot mechanisms 94. The bracket assembly136 in the illustrated configuration is configured to allow the armsupport assembly 42 to be removed from and placed on any of the rungs 32(FIG. 3) to adjust the vertical position of the assembly 42.

The bracket assembly 136 in certain embodiments includes first andsecond spaced-apart brackets 138 secured to the ends of an elongatedtubular cross member 140 that houses a central portion of the shaft 96.A bearing 142 can be disposed on the shaft 96 adjacent each bracket 138.As best shown in FIG. 12, each bracket 138 can be formed with curvedhook portions 144 and 146 configured to be placed around horizontalrungs 32 for supporting the arm support assembly 42 on the framestructure 16. To remove or adjust the height of the arm support assembly42, the assembly 42 is lifted up until the hook portions clear therungs, and then moved rearwardly away from the rungs. The arm supportassembly 42 can be supported on any two rungs to suit the needs of theuser.

Upward and downward pivoting movement of the support arms 92 can belimited by a stop member 148 extending from each housing portion 132into a curved opening or slot 150 formed in the adjacent bracket 138(FIGS. 8 and 9). In use, the support arms 92 and the bearing housings110 can be pivoted upwardly and downwardly about the horizontal pivotaxis, with such motion being limited by the arc length of the slot 150.In alternative embodiments, only one stop member 148 and correspondingslot 150 can be provided since the support arms 92 in the illustratedembodiment are interconnected by shaft 96 to pivot together about thehorizontal pivot axis.

In alternative embodiments, the arm supports 88 a, 88 b can be mountedfor pivotal movement about respective vertical axes V but are preventedfrom pivoting upwardly and downwardly about a horizontal axis. In stillother embodiments, the arm supports 88 a, 88 b can pivot about ahorizontal axis but are prevented from pivoting about respectivevertical axes.

The frame structure desirably has light-weight construction so that theoperating support can be easily positioned for use and transportedbetween operating theaters. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, theframe structure 16 can be constructed from tubular frame membersdesirably made from a light-weight material such as steel, aluminum orany of various suitable alloys. This provides a light-weightconstruction allowing for easy positioning and transporting of theoperating support. In alternative embodiments, the frame structure canhave a different construction that does not utilize tubular framemembers.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate the use of the operating support 10 forperforming laparoscopic surgery, and in particular laparoscopic pelvicsurgery, on a patient positioned on an operating table 12. As shown, theoperating support 10 is positioned such that the front end portion ofthe operating table 12 extends beneath the seat 14. This allows thesurgeon to sit at a position straddling the upper body of the patient.In this position, the surgeon can more easily manipulate the relativelylong instruments used in laparoscopic surgery with less stress andstrain on the surgeon's body. The position of the surgeon relative tothe patient also provides other doctors or nurses access to the patientduring the procedure, for example if the anesthesiologist must attend tothe patient. If it becomes necessary during surgery to provideadditional access to the upper body of the patient, for example if theanesthesiologist requires additional access to the patient, the surgeoncan quickly move one of the arm supports 88 a, 88 b to its rearwardand/or raised position to permit the surgeon to dismount the operatingsupport. The operating support then can be easily moved away from thepatient to provide other doctors or nurses additional access thepatient.

In use, portions of the operating support 10 and/or the surgeon can becovered with a disposable, sterile drape to reduce the risk ofcontamination. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, separate drapes 160 canbe provided to cover the arm supports 88 a, 88 b or portions thereof anda drape 162 can be provided to cover the chest support 54 or portionsthereof. As shown in FIG. 13, another drape 164 can be provided to coverthe patient and the legs of the surgeon. The drape 164 in theillustrated example has an opening and two side portions that extendaround the waist of the surgeon and are tied off or otherwise connectedto each other at the back of the surgeon, as indicated at 166. The sizeand shape of the drape 164 can be altered to suit the particularprocedure being performed. Although not shown in FIG. 13, in a specificimplementation, the drapes 160, 162 are used together with the drape164. Following the medical procedure, the used drapes can be disposed ofand replaced with new drapes.

The drapes can be made from any of various materials that are used formaking commercially available surgical drapes, such as fabrics,polymeric materials, paper, or combinations thereof.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of thedisclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that theillustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the invention andshould not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, thescope of the invention is defined by the following claims. We thereforeclaim as our invention all that comes within the scope and spirit ofthese claims.

We claim:
 1. An operating support for a surgeon performing a medicalprocedure in combination with a patient operating table, the supportcomprising: a seat adapted to support the buttocks of the surgeon; firstand second, laterally spaced foot supports adapted to support the feetof the surgeon while sitting in the seat, wherein each of the footsupports has a horizontally disposed foot pad for supporting a foot ofthe surgeon; and a frame structure supporting the seat and the footsupports; wherein the operating table comprises two opposing sides andan end portion extending perpendicularly from one side to the otherside, the end portion being positioned beneath the seat and between thefoot supports such that the foot supports are on opposite sides of thetable and such that a surgeon, while sitting in the seat, can straddle apatient lying on the table.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein thefoot supports are configured to be vertically adjustable relative to theframe structure to permit adjustment of the height of the foot supportsrelative to the seat.
 3. The combination of claim 1, wherein framestructure comprises first and second laterally spaced frame memberssupporting the first and second foot supports, respectively.
 4. Thecombination of claim 3, further comprising respective wheels secured tothe frame members for supporting the operating support on a floor. 5.The combination of claim 1, further comprising a chest support padsupported by the frame structure such that the angle of the chestsupport pad relative to a vertical plane can be adjusted to allow thesurgeon to lean closer to or farther away from the patient.
 6. Thecombination of claim 1, wherein the first and second foot supports arecoupled to first and second laterally spaced frame portions,respectively, of the frame structure, the frame portions being spacedfrom each other such that the end portion of the operating table can bepositioned between the frame portions.
 7. The combination of claim 1,wherein the frame structure does not support the seat with anyvertically extending support members positioned directly underneath theseat.
 8. The combination of claim 1, wherein the seat is configured tobe vertically adjustable relative to the frame structure to permitadjustment of the height of the seat relative to the operating table. 9.The combination of claim 1, wherein the frame structure comprises achest support frame portion supporting a chest support, the chestsupport frame portion being supported for translational movement in asubstantially, horizontal for-aft direction relative to the footsupports.
 10. The combination of claim 1, further comprising one or moredisposable sterile coverings placed over selected portions of the framestructure.
 11. An operating support for a surgeon performing a medicalprocedure on a patient positioned on an operating table, the supportcomprising: a seat adapted to support the buttocks of the surgeon; firstand second, laterally spaced foot supports adapted to support the feetof the surgeon while sitting in the seat; and a frame structuresupporting the seat and the foot supports, the frame structure beingconfigured to be positioned relative to the operating table such that anend portion of the operating table can be positioned between the footsupports and beneath the seat and the surgeon, while sitting in theseat, can straddle the patient; wherein the frame structure comprises ahorizontally disposed seat frame supporting the seat and a chest supportframe portion secured at a lower end thereof to a forward end of theseat frame, the chest support frame portion extending upwardly from theseat frame and supporting a chest support pad.
 12. An operating supportfor a surgeon performing a medical procedure on a patient positioned onan operating table, the support comprising: a seat adapted to supportthe buttocks of the surgeon; first and second, laterally spaced footsupports adapted to support the feet of the surgeon while sitting in theseat; a frame structure supporting the seat and the foot supports, theframe structure being configured to be positioned relative to theoperating table such that an end portion of the operating table can bepositioned between the foot supports and beneath the seat and thesurgeon, while sitting in the seat, can straddle the patient; first andsecond arm supports coupled to the frame structure and adapted tosupport the left and right arms of the surgeon; and a chest supportcoupled to the frame structure and adapted to support the chest of thesurgeon while sitting in the seat, the chest support having an upperportion that extends above the arm supports.
 13. The operating supportof claim 12, further comprising one or more removable sterile surgicaldrapes covering one or both of the arm supports and the chest support.14. The operating support of claim 12, wherein each of the arm supportsis pivotably coupled to the frame structure and configured to pivotabout a respective pivot axis between a respective first positionadjacent the surgeon and a respective second position away from thesurgeon.
 15. The operating support of claim 12, wherein the arm supportsare vertically adjustable to permit adjustment of the vertical positionof the arm supports relative to the chest support.
 16. An operatingsupport for a surgeon performing a medical procedure in combination witha patient operating table, the support comprising: a frame structure;and a seat supported by the frame structure; first and second, laterallyspaced foot supports supported by the frame structure and beingadjustable in height relative to the seat; wherein the operating tablecomprises two opposing sides and an end portion extendingperpendicularly from one side to the other side, the end portion beingpositioned beneath the seat and between the foot supports such that thefoot supports are on opposite sides of the table and such that asurgeon, while sitting in the seat, can straddle a patient lying on thetable.
 17. An operating support for a surgeon performing a medicalprocedure on a patient positioned on an operating table, the supportcomprising: a frame structure; and a seat supported by the framestructure; first and second, laterally spaced foot supports supported bythe frame structure and being adjustable in height relative to the seat;wherein the lateral spacing between the foot supports is such that anend portion of the operating table can be positioned between the footsupports and beneath the seat to allow the surgeon to straddle thepatient at a position above and over the patient; further comprising achest support frame portion supported at a lower end thereof at alocation adjacent a front edge of the seat, the chest support frameportion extending upwardly from the seat and supporting a chest supportconfigured to support the chest of the surgeon.
 18. The operatingsupport of claim 17, wherein the lower end of the chest support portionis attached to the frame structure at a location between the opposingsides of the seat.
 19. The operating support of claim 17, furthercomprising first and second arm supports adapted to support the arms ofthe surgeon and coupled to the frame structure, the arm supports beingvertically adjustable to permit adjustment of the vertical position ofthe arm supports relative to the chest support.
 20. The operatingsupport of claim 17, wherein the lower end of the chest support portionis connected to a horizontally disposed seat frame at a location along aline that extends from a front edge of the seat to a rear edge of theseat through the center of the seat.
 21. A surgical system comprising:an operating table for supporting a patient, the operating tablecomprising two opposing sides and an end portion extendingperpendicularly from one side to the other side; and a support apparatusfor a surgeon performing a medical procedure on the patient, the supportapparatus comprising a seat adapted to support the buttocks of thesurgeon, left and right, laterally spaced foot supports adapted tosupport the feet of the surgeon, and means for supporting the seat at aposition over and above an end portion of the operating table; whereinthe end portion of the table is positioned beneath the seat and betweenthe foot supports such that the foot supports are on opposite sides ofthe table and such that a surgeon, while sitting in the seat, canstraddle a patient lying on the table.
 22. The system of claim 21,wherein the foot supports are configured to be vertically adjustable topermit adjustment of the height of the foot supports relative to theseat.
 23. The system of claim 21, wherein the support apparatuscomprises left and right arm supports adapted to support the arms of thesurgeon, and a chest support configured to support the chest of thesurgeon, the chest support having an upper portion that extends abovethe arm supports.
 24. The system of claim 23, further comprising one ormore disposable sterile coverings covering selected portions of thesupport apparatus.
 25. An operating support for a surgeon performing amedical procedure on a patient positioned on an operating table, thesupport comprising: a seat adapted to support the buttocks of thesurgeon; a frame structure supporting the seat and comprising first andsecond laterally spaced, vertically extending support members positionedon opposite sides of the seat such that an end portion of the operatingtable can be positioned between the support members and beneath the seatto allow the surgeon to straddle the patient at a position above andover the patient; a chest support coupled to the seat and adapted tosupport the chest of the surgeon; first and second foot supports adaptedto support the feet of the surgeon, each of the first and second footsupports being mountable at a plurality of positions along the length ofthe first and second support members, respectively, so as to adjust theheight of the foot supports relative to the seat; and the first andsecond arm supports adapted to support the arms of the surgeon, thefirst and second arm supports being pivotably connected to opposite endportions of a cross member, each arm support being pivotable about arespective vertically extending pivot axis to permit pivoting of the armsupport between a respective forward position adjacent the surgeon foruse and a respective second position away from the surgeon, the armsupports also being pivotable about a common horizontal pivot axisbetween a lowered position and a raised position, the cross member beingsupported by the frame structure and being vertically adjustablerelative to the frame structure to permit adjustment of the height ofthe arm supports.